The University of St.Gallen (HSG) is a public university[1] specialised in business, economics, law, international affairs and computer science.[2] In autumn 2025, 9,992 students from 100 countries were enrolled; the university holds the three leading business-school accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA).[3][4]
HSG publishes separate tuition fees for Swiss and foreign nationals. Since the autumn semester 2026, foreign nationals pay CHF 3,343.50 per semester in a bachelor’s programme and CHF 3,557.50 in a master’s programme; Swiss nationals pay CHF 1,310.50 and CHF 1,524.50.[1] The number of places for foreign applicants is limited by law, so applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate are admitted only through a selection procedure.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universität St.Gallen (HSG) |
| Location | St.Gallen, Switzerland (Dufourstrasse 50, 9000 St.Gallen); the main campus on the Rosenberg dates from 1963[6] |
| Type | Public university; the Cantonal Council of St.Gallen approves its tuition fees[7][1] |
| Founded | 1898, when the Grand Council of the canton decided to create an “academy for trade, traffic and administration”; teaching began in 1899; named University of St.Gallen (HSG) in 1995[6] |
| Students | 9,992 from 100 countries in autumn 2025 (10,503 including visiting students, leave of absence and additional programmes)[3] |
| Students by level, autumn 2025 | Assessment year 2,376; bachelor’s 3,224; master’s 3,788; doctoral 560; additional courses 44[3] |
| Schools | Six: Computer Science; Economics and Political Science; Finance; Humanities and Social Sciences; Law; Management[8] |
| Accreditations | EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA (“Triple Crown”)[4] |
| Times Higher Education ranking | 351-400th band (edition 2026 on the THE profile)[9] |
| Tuition from autumn semester 2026, Swiss nationals | CHF 1,310.50 bachelor’s · CHF 1,524.50 master’s per semester[1] |
| Tuition from autumn semester 2026, foreign nationals | CHF 3,343.50 bachelor’s · CHF 3,557.50 master’s per semester[1] |
| Application and processing fee | CHF 268, non-refundable[1] |
| Language of the bachelor’s assessment year | Economics, business, international affairs and law and economics: English or German; law and computer science: German only[10] |
| Official website | unisg.ch |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About the University of St.Gallen
HSG describes itself as one of the oldest business schools in existence and the first of its kind in Switzerland. It goes back to 1898, when the Grand Council of the canton of St.Gallen decided to create an academy for trade, traffic and administration; teaching began in 1899 with seven enrolled students and 85 auditing students.[6] It received the right to award doctorates in 1938, moved to its present location on the Rosenberg in 1963 and has been called University of St.Gallen (HSG) since 1995.[6]
Today it has six schools: Computer Science, Economics and Political Science, Finance, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, and Management.[8] For other Swiss universities see our Switzerland ranking.
How is the University of St.Gallen ranked?
HSG holds all three leading international accreditations for business schools, EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA, known as the “Triple Crown”.[4] Its Times Higher Education profile places it in the 351-400th band; the profile is labelled with the World University Rankings 2026 edition and counts 8,835 students and 37 percent international students,[9] while HSG itself counts 9,992 students for autumn 2025.[3] The THE page does not explain the difference.
We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027, because QS blocks automated access and none of the sources we read gave the 2027 figure. HSG’s own rankings page describes rankings in general and does not list a QS position.[4] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of St.Gallen?
Bachelor’s. HSG offers bachelor’s programmes in business administration, economics, law, law and economics and international affairs, and since the autumn semester 2022 a Bachelor in Computer Science. The first stage is a common assessment year.[2]
Master’s. The schools offer 14 master’s programmes in German and/or English: Strategy and International Management, Banking and Finance, Business Innovation, General Management, Marketing Management, Accounting and Corporate Finance, International Affairs and Governance, Economics, Quantitative Economics and Finance, Computer Science, International Law, Law, Law and Economics, and the Joint Medical Master. Some programmes select among all applicants, others only among foreign applicants; Law and Law and Economics have no selection process.[11]
How much does the University of St.Gallen cost?
| Level | Swiss nationals per semester | Foreign nationals per semester |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | CHF 1,310.50 | CHF 3,343.50 |
| Master’s | CHF 1,524.50 | CHF 3,557.50 |
| Joint Medical Master | CHF 960.50 | CHF 10,089.50 |
| Ph.D. | CHF 668.50 | CHF 1,150.50 |
These are the amounts on HSG’s page “Tuition Fees as of Autumn Semester 2026”. The page explains the difference between Swiss and foreign nationals by the university’s mandate as a public university and the domestic student funding it receives.[1] The Cantonal Council approved an increase of about seven percent at the end of October 2025, reflecting inflation since 2014, when the fees had last been set. The news item gives the Swiss and Liechtenstein bachelor’s rate as rising from CHF 1,229 to CHF 1,310.50 and the foreign bachelor’s rate from CHF 3,129 to CHF 3,343.50.[7] Two semesters at the foreign rate add up to CHF 6,687 for a bachelor’s and CHF 7,115 for a master’s (our addition). The page does not explain how residence or permit status places someone in the Swiss or the foreign column; ask the Admissions Office if your case is not clear.
Other costs
- Application and processing fee: CHF 268, non-refundable.[1]
- HSG tells applicants to expect total costs of CHF 25,000 to 30,000 per year, including living costs.[1]
- HSG’s cost table for bachelor’s students, based on the 2024 Swiss survey on students’ economic conditions, lists CHF 2,175 per month, of which CHF 795 for accommodation.[1]
- Long-term students whose maximum number of semesters has been reached pay higher fees set in the university’s fee regulations.[1]
For living costs in Switzerland see our Switzerland guide and the Study in Switzerland guide.
How do you apply to the University of St.Gallen?
- Bachelor’s with a Swiss or Liechtenstein maturity certificate: a recognised Swiss maturity certificate (Maturität, Matura), or a vocational or specialised maturity with the “Passerelle”, allows a direct application. Bachelor’s studies start in the autumn semester and the application is online.[10]
- Bachelor’s with a foreign certificate: the certificate must be essentially equivalent to the Swiss maturity certificate, for example a German Abitur or British A-levels. Because the number of places for foreign applicants is limited by law, applicants with a recognised foreign certificate are admitted only through the HSG selection procedure; only your results there count. Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens and holders of a Swiss permit C are exempt from it.[10][5]
- Master’s: each programme has its own admission page. In General Management, for example, you need a recognised bachelor’s degree in business administration with at least 180 ECTS credits and a minimum average of 5.00 on the Swiss scale, foreign applicants go through a selection process, and all applicants complete an aptitude assessment. Test scores (GMAT, GRE, LSAT or GTEBS) count; without one, the grade average is weighted twice.[12]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; see HSG’s application-deadlines page. The admissions pages say the criteria apply only to the current admission period.[11]
Which language level do you need?
You do not submit a language certificate when you apply for a bachelor’s programme. It is your responsibility to be fluent enough in the language of instruction; HSG recommends at least level C1 of the CEFR (the European scale from A1 to C2; C1 is advanced) at the start of studies.[10] The assessment year in economics, business, international affairs and law and economics can be taken entirely in English or entirely in German; the assessment year in law and the one in computer science only in German.[10] You must complete the selection procedure in the language you chose for the assessment year.[5]
If you have to take the supplementary examination ECUS (set for applicants from certain countries), you need at least level B2 in German whichever language track you choose, and the exams are in German only.[10]
Master’s programmes are taught in German, English or both. General Management is bilingual: one third of the core studies (18 ECTS) in German and one third (18 ECTS) in English; the recommended level is again at least C1 and no proof is needed when applying. In General Management all students also take two additional foreign-language courses.[12]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the University of St.Gallen cost for international students?
Foreign nationals pay CHF 3,343.50 per semester in a bachelor’s and CHF 3,557.50 in a master’s programme, from the autumn semester 2026. Swiss nationals pay CHF 1,310.50 and CHF 1,524.50.[1]
Why do foreign students pay more at HSG?
HSG explains the difference by its mandate as a public university and the funding it receives for domestic students.[1]
Is there a selection procedure for foreign applicants?
Yes. The number of places for foreign applicants is limited by law, so applicants with a recognised foreign certificate are admitted to the bachelor’s only through the HSG selection procedure. Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens and permit C holders are exempt.[10]
Which language level do I need for HSG?
No certificate is needed at application, but HSG recommends at least C1 in the language of instruction. Applicants who must sit the ECUS exams need B2 German.[10]
More about studying in Switzerland
- Switzerland: best universities
- Study in Switzerland: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Switzerland
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
- EPFL
- ETH Zurich
- FHNW
- Franklin Switzerland
- Geneva Graduate Institute
- HES-SO
- IMD Business School
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
- University of Basel
- University of Bern
- University of Fribourg
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Lucerne
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of Zurich
- Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
- Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
Sources
[1] University of St.Gallen: Costs of an HSG degree (page without a date; headed “Tuition Fees as of Autumn Semester 2026”)
[2] University of St.Gallen: Bachelor’s programmes (page without a date)
[3] University of St.Gallen: Around 10,000 students at HSG (news item of 19 Dec 2025; figures for autumn 2025)
[4] University of St.Gallen: Rankings and accreditations (page without a date)
[5] University of St.Gallen: HSG selection procedure (page without a date)
[6] University of St.Gallen: History of HSG (page without a date)
[7] University of St.Gallen: Cantonal Council approves increase in tuition fees at HSG (news item of 5 Nov 2025)
[8] University of St.Gallen: About us (page without a date; the site menu lists the six schools)
[9] Times Higher Education: University of St.Gallen (page without a date; World University Rankings 2026 data)
[10] University of St.Gallen: Admission to a bachelor’s programme (Assessment Year) (page without a date)
[11] University of St.Gallen: Admission to a master’s programme (page without a date; lists 14 programmes)
[12] University of St.Gallen: Admission to the Master in General Management (page without a date; an example of a master’s programme)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.